Here she rips: I've just set up my spring behind axle suspension on my A. I like the clean looks of having no shock absorbers. I don't want an unsafe car however. How many of you guys (if any) roll shockless? Am I a danger to myself and others?
I went shockless on my A sedan for about 2 weeks. nothing real bad, but a certian speeds it got a harmonic, and danced and jiggled enough to drive me nuts. I built aome shock mounts out of square tube, welded to the frame, and used some used '50 ford tube shocks,with mounts welded to the bones. Sparky
I'm im South Carolina,,,I don't think I have to worry about you bouncin' in my lane! Ha,ha,,, Is it the front or rear,,,you didn't say,,,,,if its on the front why not go with friction shocks,,,,,they don't distract from the look and are to your advantage to keep the car from bouncin' like a basketball when you come to a hard stop! BTW,,,it ain't the dumbest lately,,,,,,weldin' the axle to the frame was! HRP
Yeah, its dangerous if you hit a good woopdidoo section. Shocks don't look that bad, you could always go the friction shock way. I'm planning on doing the same style front on my car and running friction shocks, but if that don't work out , I'm gonna put shocks on her. I like to be in control of my car.
Don't under any cir***stances go shockless. I took my "A" out for it's maiden voyage without front shocks. Within the 1st 4 miles of highway speeds one wheel hit a pot-hole starting the whole front end seriously bouncing back and forth. I'm amazed I got it stopped in one piece. Bent my split bones mounts and tie rod. Learn fom my mistake. C.F.
"BTW,,,it ain't the dumbest lately,,,,,,weldin' the axle to the frame was!" I never said I was smart.
It's NOT the dumbest question if you're ASKING it! You obviously had some concerns and weren't afraid of what people might think.Bravo for asking.
here is a good picture of a front end setup - not quite like you described ( spring on top of axle )...but the friction shocks are fairly hidden. If you painted them they would disappear.
Do a search and check out front ends to find the shocks you'd like best. I like the looks of the MG and friction shocks nice small package. I have MG shocks on the front of the coupe and they work fine and are hardly noticeable from the front of the car.
Yes you need shocks for stability and control. What Corn Fed described is a cl***ic case of bump steer. A good pair of shocks can mask the symtoms but the problem is still there.
Thanks fellas. I pretty much knew what the answer would be but had to ask anyways. I feel limited on space, so I'm looking for simple geometry and an uncomplicated appearance. FATABONE, your set up is spot on, I love the look and stance of your ride. what kind of shocks are those?
I mad a set of friction shocks for the front of my car outta flathead connecting rods. Be creative and make 'em look cool.
I agree shocks will prove necessary--at some point you will find a combination of bump and turn and other road cir***stances that will send the car into a tap-dancing fit. I HAVE, on the other hand, seen a few early Fords with utterly worn out original shocks that actually achieved pretty good shock type damping just from natural wear and crud...in the springs! A properly rusted spring that was last greased during the second Roosevelt administration can actually attain about the right amount damping while still springing...an organic friction shock. This is NOT a recommendation... I think lever shocks (hydraulic British type almost certainly better than friction) are good ways to disguise things. Early Ford hydraulics are good but impractical, as a really functional set is going to cost a lot. Another possibility might be traditional sea-leg mount tube shocks like everyone uses on early Fords, but worked into the system in front of the axle instead of behind.
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